Leon County Schools Chief Financial Officer Kathy Sanders told board members the district likely will have to seek a loan next year because of its financial outlook. Monthly payroll expenses total approximately $22 million.

The Tax Anticipation Note will be provided by Capital City Bank at a 3.95% interest rate and will become available Oct. 15. The district expects to repay the borrowing after property tax revenues begin arriving in December.

The loan comes as district reserves have declined and officials acknowledge additional spending reductions will be necessary.

School Board member Alva Smith, who supported the loan, offered one of the most direct assessments of the district’s financial condition.

“The reason we’re here is because we are spending more than we’re making,” Smith said.

Smith said Leon County Schools has never before needed such borrowing and called for spending reductions that would prevent the district from making the loan an annual practice.

The district’s 2026-27 budget totals $629.4 million, nearly $18 million below the previous year’s spending plan, according to the Democrat. More than $5 million in reductions were made over the past year.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna acknowledged that additional reductions will be required and described the district as being in its worst financial position in a decade.

“Do we have a funding issue? Yes, we absolutely do,” Hanna told board members. “Do we need to continue to make cuts? Yes, we absolutely do.”

The discussion also renewed a debate over declining enrollment and whether Leon County should consider consolidating under-enrolled schools.

Smith has previously advocated consolidation as a way to reduce operating costs and redirect money toward teacher salaries. She told the board that without controlling expenditures — potentially including consolidation — the district could continue borrowing to make payroll.

Board member Darryl Jones opposed that approach, arguing that closing or consolidating schools that have improved academically would amount to a temporary solution to a long-term financial problem.

Board Chairman Marcus Nicolas called for development of a multi-year financial strategy rather than treating the loan as an isolated event.

The debate represents a significant change from the district’s previous explanation of the borrowing.

Hanna had characterized the loan largely as a timing issue: Schools incur substantial expenses beginning in August while significant property tax revenue does not arrive until later in the year. In previous years, however, the district was able to bridge that gap by temporarily using available money from other district funds.

Those resources are no longer sufficient to comfortably cover the gap.

The board’s latest discussion indicates officials now expect the financial pressure to extend beyond this year’s seasonal cash shortage.

Any portion of the $30 million that is not needed for payroll is expected to be reinvested to offset future district expenses.

Hanna said the administration plans to bring forward proposals addressing the district’s finances at a December business meeting, ahead of the School Board’s January 2027 retreat.

“We will do our best to bring forward a plan to right the ship,” Hanna said, “to address our financial situation and to bring solutions.”

Leon County Schools is preparing to borrow $30 million to meet payroll and operating expenses, a move that highlights the district’s deteriorating financial reserves and raises questions about whether additional spending reductions, including administrative staffing cuts and school consolidations, will be necessary.

The proposed loan comes as other Florida school districts facing similar financial pressures are taking steps to close or consolidate underutilized schools. Meanwhile, Leon County School Board members remain divided over whether the district employs too many administrators.

In an October 8 opinion column published by the Tallahassee Democrat, Superintendent Rocky Hanna explained that the proposed borrowing is necessary because the district no longer has sufficient reserves to cover expenses before property tax revenues arrive in December.

The district proposes borrowing $30 million from Capital City Bank at an annual interest rate of 3.95%, with repayment due January 31, 2027. The loan could be repaid early without penalty.

Hanna explained that the district previously managed the seasonal revenue shortfall by temporarily transferring money between district funds.

This year, however, the district’s financial cushion is insufficient to comfortably continue that practice.

Hanna noted that 15 other Florida school districts have used similar tax anticipation notes to address seasonal cash-flow problems.

The superintendent also cited inadequate state funding, noting that the base student allocation under the Florida Education Finance Program increased by only $173 per student over four years, while operating expenses increased substantially faster.

Hanna said the district reduced spending by more than $6 million last year and faces additional reductions.

Declining Enrollment and School Closures

While short-term borrowing is not unusual among Florida school districts, the need for a loan comes amid longer-term financial challenges associated with declining enrollment.

For example, Broward County Public Schools, which has regularly issued tax anticipation notes, is considering closing or consolidating 10 schools.

Broward officials report losing more than 48,000 students over the past decade, resulting in approximately 60,000 empty classroom seats and a substantial reduction in funding. District leaders say maintaining underutilized campuses is financially unsustainable.

Duval County Public Schools has also established procedures for school closures and consolidations as districts confront changing enrollment patterns.

Leon County has experienced similar enrollment pressures but has not announced a comparable districtwide school consolidation plan.

Administrative Bloat Debate

The proposed loan also comes amid an ongoing debate over administrative staffing.

A January 2026 Tallahassee Reports analysis of Florida Department of Education data found that Leon County Schools added 47 school administrative positions between 2018-19 and 2024-25, a 28% increase.

During the same period, enrollment declined approximately 8%, while the number of teachers decreased.

Spending on school administration increased from $20.4 million to $25.1 million.

A subsequent Tallahassee Reports analysis found that Leon County employed more administrators and non-instructional personnel relative to enrollment than the statewide average and several comparable districts.

The analysis estimated that matching the statewide non-instructional staffing ratio would eliminate approximately 130 positions.

The issue surfaced during September budget deliberations when School Board member Alva Smith voted against the district’s budget, arguing that additional administrative reductions were necessary.

Board member Rosanne Wood defended administrative positions, emphasizing their importance in supporting teachers, students and families.

Hanna has acknowledged concerns about administrative staffing and indicated that the district is reviewing those decisions.

Financial Decisions Ahead

The district’s financial challenges were evident when the School Board approved its tentative $615 million budget in July.

At that meeting, Hanna said emergency reserves were at their lowest level during his 11 years as superintendent.

The proposed $30 million loan addresses an immediate cash-flow problem, not the underlying structural challenges associated with enrollment declines, staffing costs and rising operating expenses.

For School Board members, the larger question is whether additional administrative reductions and possible school consolidations will be necessary to restore financial stability and reduce the likelihood of future borrowing.

Although the loan would provide temporary financial flexibility, the debate over how Leon County Schools allocates its resources is likely to continue.

The event, titled “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here,” will take place at The Moon, located at 1105 East Lafayette Street. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the speaking program scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

The Tallahassee appearance is part of Sanders’ national tour focused on economic inequality, corporate influence in government and the concentration of wealth and political power.

According to Sanders’ official website, the tour is intended to generate discussions about challenging wealthy individuals and corporate interests that Sanders believes exercise excessive influence over American politics.

The Tallahassee event also comes at a significant time in local politics, with Nixon publicly supporting Matlow in his campaign against former state Senator Loranne Ausley for mayor.

Nixon, who represents a Jacksonville-area district in the Florida House, is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate after defeating Alex Vindman in the August Democratic primary.

In September, Nixon appeared in a campaign advertisement supporting Matlow alongside Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter and Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor.

“From Washington, D.C., to Tallahassee City Hall, change can’t wait,” Nixon said in the advertisement.

Matlow announced Nixon’s endorsement as part of a group of endorsements from elected officials supporting his mayoral campaign.

Nixon’s participation in the Sanders event highlights the connections between Tallahassee’s local progressive political movement and national progressive leaders.

Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, has been one of the nation’s most prominent advocates for democratic socialism, expanded government health care programs, higher taxes on wealthy Americans and increased regulation of large corporations.

Nixon has also been associated with the Democratic Socialists of America and has promoted policies emphasizing economic equality, expanded public services and greater government involvement in addressing affordability.

Sanders endorsed Nixon’s U.S. Senate campaign in August, praising her positions on health care, childcare and economic issues.

In accepting the endorsement, Nixon said government should serve working people rather than billionaires and corporations.

The Sanders-Nixon tour includes four Florida appearances over two days.

On Saturday, October 17, the two are scheduled to appear in Tampa and Melbourne. On Sunday, October 18, they will visit Gainesville before traveling to Tallahassee for the evening event.

The appearances come as Nixon campaigns for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Ashley Moody.

The timing of the Tallahassee rally is also noteworthy because early voting in Leon County begins October 19, the day after Sanders’ appearance.

The November 3 election includes the Tallahassee mayoral contest between Matlow and Ausley, along with two contested City Commission races.

Although Nixon has endorsed Matlow, the Sanders event is being promoted as part of his national political tour, not as an official Matlow campaign event. There has been no announcement that Matlow will participate in the speaking program or that Sanders has endorsed Matlow.

The event is open to the public, with attendees encouraged to RSVP through Sanders’ official website.

Friday, October 9, 2026

Weather: Today showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 76. Tonight, showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 72. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Saturday, showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 82. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday night, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, with a low around 69. NWS

Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall along the US Gulf Coast late tonight or early tomorrow as a Category 2 or higher storm. See updated forecast cone.

US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 -0.5%, Dow +0.1%, Nasdaq -1.3%) after Brent crude oil prices rise 4.1% to $104.3 per barrel (More).

Local & State News

The estimated number of homeless people in Leon County declined for the second consecutive year in 2026. Details.

Florida emergency management officials are bracing for life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds across the Panhandle from Hurricane Isaias. Details

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday called a state appellate court’s decision to expunge the Hope Florida grand jury report “death by firing squad” and demanded those responsible for leak of the report be held accountable. Details

National News

Trump administration suspends Microsoft, Adobe, and at least six other tech companies from program that allows skilled foreign workers to apply for green cards, accusing them of abusing the visa system (More).

The 2026 count identified 557 people experiencing homelessness in Leon County, down from 654 in 2025, a decrease of 97 people, or 14.8%.

The decline follows an even larger reduction between 2024 and 2025. Leon County’s count reached 831 in 2024 before falling to 654 the following year. From the 2024 peak through 2026, the county’s homeless estimate has fallen by 274 people, or 33%.

The trend generally mirrors Florida’s statewide numbers. Florida’s count declined from 31,362 in 2024 to 28,498 in 2025 and 24,588 in 2026. That represents a 21.6% decrease over the two-year period.

Leon County’s five-year numbers were 596 in 2022, 732 in 2023, 831 in 2024, 654 in 2025 and 557 in 2026.

What is the PIT count?

The numbers come from the annual Point-in-Time, or PIT, count, a federally mandated effort designed to estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness on a particular night.

The Big Bend Continuum of Care describes the PIT count as a “one-night snapshot” of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness conducted in late January. The local organization says the results are used to identify trends, direct outreach resources, support grant applications and help policymakers determine the scale and characteristics of homelessness.

For 2026, the Big Bend region’s count night was January 26.

The count includes people staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing as well as people living in places not intended for habitation, including streets, encampments, vehicles and other outdoor locations.

The two groups are counted differently. Sheltered numbers rely heavily on records maintained through the Homeless Management Information System, or HMIS, supplemented when necessary by information from providers. For unsheltered homelessness, outreach workers and volunteers canvass locations where homeless people are known or believed to stay and conduct surveys or observations.

HUD allows communities to use approaches including a complete census, counts at known locations or statistically based sampling. Communities must also attempt to avoid counting the same person more than once and may use statistical adjustments when portions of an area cannot be fully canvassed.

That methodology also means the PIT number should not be interpreted as the total number of people who experience homelessness during an entire year. It is an estimate of the population on one particular night and can be affected by weather, shelter utilization, volunteer coverage, participation by service providers and data quality.

Still, the latest Leon County numbers indicate a significant change from the 2024 high. The 2026 estimate is 6.5% below the 596 people counted in 2022, despite the substantial increase recorded during 2023 and 2024.

The latest results therefore put Leon County’s PIT estimate not only well below its recent peak, but slightly below where it stood four years ago.

The report tracks issues raised during the “Commissioners’ Discussion” portion of meetings, when commissioners can make inquiries or request staff action. Requests requiring staff work must receive Board approval and are then assigned by the County Administrator or County Attorney.

County staff reported 67 discussion items during FY 2026, with 59 completed and eight listed as ongoing. Another 14 items carried over from previous fiscal years were also tracked.

A Tallahassee Reports review of the individual entries identified 66 commissioner-attributed FY 2026 requests, one fewer than the 67 reported by county staff. Proctor was listed most frequently with 23, followed by David O’Keefe with 13, Christian Caban with 10, Carolyn Cummings with eight, Rick Minor with six and Nick Maddox with six.

Commissioner Brian Welch had no new FY 2026 discussion items listed. The report does include a Welch request from April 2024 that remained on the county’s tracking list. Welch had asked the county to consider allowing golf carts on certain county roads near Westminster Oaks. The request was ultimately completed after staff determined the proposed crossing locations did not meet minimum safety standards.

Proctor’s requests included several significant policy matters. He initiated an analysis of the pros and cons of city-county consolidation, including fire services, and later requested ballot language for a possible nonbinding consolidation referendum.

Proctor also initiated proposed charter changes dealing with conflicts between county and city ordinances and uniform countywide street naming and addressing. Later in the year, he successfully requested that the county begin removing automated license plate recognition systems from county property and rights-of-way. The policy revision remains ongoing.

Another Proctor request directed the County Attorney to pursue a breach-of-contract dispute with the City of Tallahassee over provisions of the Fire Services Agreement. The county initiated dispute resolution in September.

O’Keefe’s requests covered affordable housing, tenant protections, PFAS regulations, complete streets, fire-hydrant access and manufactured-home residents facing displacement. His request for an affordable-housing property tax exemption under the Live Local Act resulted in an agenda item in January.

Caban’s requests included reviews of public surveillance cameras, Lake Munson water quality, courthouse security and the Airport Gateway project. He also requested the agenda item that led to consideration of a one-year data-center moratorium and initiated a study of incentives to attract a grocery store to Woodville.

Other significant requests included Minor’s work on Lake Jackson restoration, whistleblower protections and food insecurity; Cummings’ requests involving homelessness and tourism-grant rules; and Maddox’s requests concerning public-camera privacy and the Fire Service Fee Interlocal Agreement.

The report shows that Commissioners’ Discussion can move issues well beyond simple inquiries. During FY 2026, commissioner requests resulted in agenda items, proposed ordinances and charter amendments, legislative priorities, studies, contract disputes and changes to county policy. Woodville. The Woodville item remains ongoing.

Other notable initiatives included Minor’s requests concerning Lake Jackson restoration, whistleblower protections and food insecurity; Cummings’ requests addressing homelessness and tourism-grant rules; and Maddox’s requests concerning surveillance-camera privacy and termination of the Fire Service Fee Interlocal Agreement with the city.

Several unfinished matters will return to commissioners in FY 2027. They include Proctor’s ALPR policy change and commissioner-office budget adjustment, O’Keefe’s fire-hydrant and mobile-home initiatives, Minor’s food-insecurity workshop and proposed naming of the EMS building for former Chief Tom Quillin, Caban’s Woodville grocery-store initiative, and Proctor’s proposal allowing the B.L. Perry Branch Library greenspace to commemorate community leaders.

The evaluations cover Long’s performance from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026, and are scheduled for consideration by the Leon County Commission on Oct. 13. Under county policy, commissioners individually evaluate the administrator before the results are compiled for board review.

All seven commissioners — Christian Caban, Carolyn Cummings, Nick Maddox, Brian Welch, David O’Keefe, Bill Proctor and Rick Minor — gave Long an overall score of 5, the highest possible rating. The evaluation includes 44 individual factors covering professional skills, relations with commissioners, policy execution, reporting, citizen relations, staffing, supervision, fiscal management and community involvement.

Several commissioners provided written comments highlighting Long’s management during a year that included major economic development initiatives and county projects.

Minor wrote that Long has “deep knowledge of Leon County’s policies and ordinances” and praised his ability to provide ideas and alternatives to commissioners. Minor also cited the county’s financial position, writing that Leon County has maintained the lowest net budget per resident among comparable Florida counties and has realized nearly $100 million in savings and avoided costs since 2013.

O’Keefe praised Long for leading the county “through an extraordinary year with steady, strategic leadership.” He specifically cited the Firefly Data Center project, the Leon County Health Center and improvements to Apalachee Regional Park. O’Keefe also said Long handled a “challenging working relationship with City leadership professionally.”

Welch cited Long’s work on the Bradfordville School House renovation, coordination with the construction industry and economic development efforts.

However, Welch also identified areas where he would like improvement. He said most communication with Long comes through the administrator’s office rather than directly from Long and asked for “more frequent updates on issues of concern.”

Welch also called for additional information when commissioners consider financial decisions.

“Given the increased pressure on affordability in our State and County and given the likelihood of future revenue reductions, I would appreciate a staff analysis option on all future budget items that includes the real-world implications of adopting the rollback millage rate,” Welch wrote.

He also pointed to problems associated with the county’s JIS implementation, saying the disruption and failure of the system caused significant problems and was a rare example of the county failing to meet its “well-established high standard.” Still, Welch said the county responded quickly and effectively.

The evaluations also have compensation implications. Under Long’s contract, he is eligible for the same annual cost-of-living increase provided to county employees — 4% for fiscal year 2027 — plus a merit increase determined by the commission.

However, the agenda item states that Long informed commissioners during the 2027 budget process that he would not accept the additional contractual merit increase this year, citing “the financial interest of the County and consistency with all County employees.”

County staff is recommending commissioners ratify the annual evaluations at the Oct. 13 meeting.

The Oct. 2 order follows months of complaints from nearby residents about runoff from the facility at 1948 Capps Highway in Monticello. DEP identified wastewater associated with Trulieve’s operations as including reverse-osmosis reject water and condensate from dehumidifiers and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. The wastewater is routed to an irrigation sediment basin and sprayed on designated areas of the property.

DEP found that Trulieve “sprayed the Wastewater onto its outdoor lawn,” with some moving outside the facility perimeter without a DEP permit. The agency determined the activity violated state environmental statutes and regulations.

The finding was welcomed by residents who have pushed state regulators to investigate the facility.

“This is a huge victory for our community,” Cindy Pyburn of Concerned Residents of Jefferson County wrote in an Oct. 3 letter to residents.

“For months, residents were told that what we were seeing leave the Trulieve property was rainwater and that the runoff issues had been addressed,” Pyburn wrote. “Now, DEP’s consent order puts its findings and the steps Trulieve must take in writing.”

Under the order, Trulieve has 30 days to submit an interim irrigation plan designed to prevent wastewater from leaving the property and reaching neighboring properties. DEP says the plan could include reduced application rates, alternating application zones and reduced irrigation times.

Trulieve also must apply within 120 days for a wastewater permit covering the discharges identified by DEP. The company and agency expect the permitting process to reach a final decision within 12 months.

The order requires Trulieve to pay $80,000 within 90 days. However, the company can instead propose a DEP-approved environmental enhancement, restoration or facility-improvement project worth at least $120,000.

Trulieve told WCTV that it worked with DEP to reach an agreement allowing environmental site improvements in place of the payment and said it takes environmental compliance seriously. WCTV reported that the company plans to pursue the $120,000 improvement option.

The consent order does not find that Trulieve contaminated neighboring drinking water or waterways with unsafe levels of pollutants. That is separate from DEP’s finding that wastewater left the property without the required permit. Earlier testing also found no contamination linked to the facility, according to State Rep. Allison Tant. WTXL reported in July that months of water testing found no contamination associated with the Trulieve operation.

The order nevertheless establishes increased state oversight. Trulieve must allow authorized DEP representatives access to the facility and property at reasonable times to determine compliance. Violating the consent order could subject the company to civil penalties of up to $15,000 per day for each violation.

Trulieve neither admits nor agrees that DEP’s findings constitute violations of statutory or common law, but agreed to be bound by the consent order and its enforcement provisions.

Pyburn said residents view the order as progress rather than the end of the dispute.

“There is still work ahead to make sure the requirements are carried out, and the wastewater and runoff problems are corrected on the ground,” she wrote. “Concerned Residents of Jefferson County will be following these matters and keeping our neighbors informed.”

LCSO reported 60 arrests across the schools it serves in 2025-26, down from 91 the previous year, a decline of approximately 34%. At the same time, deputies recorded 132 civil citations and 761 diversions, compared with 106 civil citations and 276 diversions in 2024-25.

The change was particularly noticeable at Leon County’s five major public high schools. Arrests at Leon, Lincoln, Rickards, Godby and Chiles fell from 65 in 2024-25 to 30 in 2025-26 — a 54% decline.

The latest numbers reverse the trend highlighted by Tallahassee Reports last year, when arrests at the five high schools increased 38%, from 47 in 2023-24 to 65 in 2024-25.

The new data also indicate that the decline in arrests was not simply the result of fewer incidents requiring law-enforcement attention. LCSO recorded 475 criminal complaints in 2025-26, virtually unchanged from 470 the previous year. Instead, the numbers coincide with a substantial increase in the use of diversion programs and civil citations as alternatives to arrest.

Diversions increased from 276 to 761, or approximately 176%, while civil citations increased about 25%, from 106 to 132.

At the high-school level, LCSO reported 30 arrests, 73 civil citations and 154 diversions during 2025-26.

The largest reductions in high-school arrests occurred at Leon and Rickards. Leon High School arrests fell from 36 to eight, a 78% decrease, while Rickards arrests declined from 17 to three, an 82% decrease.

Godby High School moved in the opposite direction, with arrests increasing from five to 11. Lincoln remained unchanged at six arrests, while Chiles increased from one to two.

The numbers suggest a significant change in how student offenses are being handled: criminal complaints remained essentially flat, but substantially fewer incidents resulted in arrests as the Sheriff’s Office increased its use of alternatives to the juvenile justice system.

Data compiled from a database of fatal shootings maintained by the Tallahassee Democrat shows the annualized number of shooting deaths falling to 15 as of September 2026, down from a recent high of 32 in the spring of 2024. The chart tracks the rolling annual number of shooting deaths in Leon County from March 2021 through September 2026.

The decline from 32 to 15 represents a reduction of approximately 53%.

The latest figure is also the lowest annual rate recorded since 2023 and represents a substantial reversal from the increase in shooting deaths that occurred between 2023 and 2024.

The data show Leon County’s shooting-death rate at approximately 26 in early 2021 before declining through much of 2021 and 2022. By the spring of 2023, the annual total had fallen to 11 deaths, the lowest point during the period examined.

That improvement proved temporary.

Beginning in mid-2023, shooting deaths increased rapidly. The annual total climbed above 20 by late summer and reached approximately 30 by early 2024. The rate subsequently peaked at 32 deaths in spring 2024.

After reaching that high, however, the trend generally reversed. The annual total dropped into the mid-20s during the second half of 2024. There was a brief increase to roughly 28 late that year before another decline brought the total to about 20 in early 2025.

Throughout most of 2025 and early 2026, the annual number fluctuated primarily between 17 and 23 deaths. More recently, the numbers have moved lower again. By September 2026, the annual rate stood at 15 shooting deaths—17 fewer than at the 2024 peak.

The latest number is also approaching the low levels recorded before the 2023-24 surge. The September 2026 annual rate of 15 is only four deaths above the five-year low of 11 recorded in 2023.

The forum was produced by the Capitol Region News Collaborative and the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee. Questioners included representatives from WTXL, the Tallahassee Democrat and the League of Women Voters.

Below is a condensed question-and-answer summary of the forum, with significant differences between the candidates highlighted.

How would your leadership differ from Commissioner Jeremy Matlow?

Tom Derzypolski: Said he would bring 25 years of executive and community leadership experience and emphasized his political independence. He said he is not aligned with other candidates and would work with whoever voters elect to move the city forward.

P.J. Perez: Emphasized his 16 years in public education and his family’s experience in both the public and private sectors. He said his priorities include neighborhoods, small businesses, environmental protection and opportunities for residents he believes have been overlooked.

Key Difference: Derzypolski framed the race around experience, independence and changing the governing culture at City Hall. Perez framed his candidacy around policy change and greater representation for neighborhoods and residents he believes have been underserved.

What is the main difference between you and your opponent?

Derzypolski: Experience. He pointed to 25 years of executive leadership, community relationships and experience addressing complex problems.

Perez: Perspective. He cited his career in education, his wife’s small business and his work with students and families.

Key Difference: Derzypolski argued that executive experience distinguishes him. Perez emphasized his public-education background and connection to working families.

Would you have supported the transfer of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to FSU?

Perez: No. He supported an affiliation with FSU but opposed transferring the asset. He criticized the process and said alternatives proposed by residents were not adequately explored.

Derzypolski: Yes, with reservations. He supported bringing an academic medical center to Tallahassee but strongly criticized the process as predetermined and insufficiently transparent. He favored stronger local governance and participation by FAMU and Tallahassee State College.

Key Difference: This was one of the forum’s clearest policy differences. Derzypolski supported the ultimate TMH-FSU transaction despite concerns about the process. Perez opposed transferring the asset and preferred an affiliation that retained city ownership.

Would you have supported selling the Capital City Country Club property?

Derzypolski: No. He criticized selling city assets and described the transaction as a “fire sale.”

Perez: No. He argued the city should have retained the 178-acre property and considered financing maintenance through bonds. He also cited the historical significance of graves of enslaved people on the property.

Did you support the process used to hire the new city manager and the supermajority termination provision?

Perez: No. He said the city charter contemplates the manager serving at the pleasure of the commission and criticized requiring a supermajority to remove the manager.

Derzypolski: Opposed the contract provision but said the city ultimately hired a highly qualified manager. He attributed the controversy partly to the commission’s “toxic culture,” arguing threats to fire the manager prompted other commissioners to seek additional protections.

Key Difference: Both opposed the contract provision, but Perez focused on the charter and the structural problem with the supermajority requirement. Derzypolski placed the controversy within the broader context of dysfunction and mistrust among commissioners.

Do you support hyperscale data centers in Tallahassee?

Derzypolski: No, under current circumstances. He said too many questions remain concerning environmental effects, economic benefits, jobs and salaries.

Perez: No. He supports a moratorium, citing environmental concerns, water use, tax incentives and skepticism about promised job creation.

What is causing local gun violence, and what would you do about it?

Perez: Said young people lack opportunities and a sense of purpose. He advocated after-school music and arts programs, vocational training, Head Start and early intervention.

Derzypolski: Cited gangs, broken homes, struggling neighborhoods and limited economic opportunity. He called for better coordination among law enforcement, nonprofits and community organizations, along with neighborhood revitalization and economic development.

Key Difference: Perez placed greater emphasis on youth programs and early intervention, while Derzypolski emphasized coordination, neighborhood revitalization and economic opportunity.

Do you support Flock cameras and license-plate surveillance technology?

Derzypolski: Expressed serious reservations. He said law enforcement should have effective technology but only with strict oversight and protections for civil liberties.

Perez: Criticized the city’s handling of automated license-plate readers and warned that surveillance technology can be misused. He emphasized balancing public safety against civil liberties.

Should the city and county operate separate fire departments?

Perez: No. He said city and county leaders should repair their relationship and restore cooperation, with firefighters involved in developing a solution.

Derzypolski: No. He called separate systems unaffordable and said he would immediately work toward mediation and restoration of a joint approach.

Do you support the 287(g) agreement with ICE?

Derzypolski: No. He said it creates anxiety and makes the community less safe.

Perez: No. He characterized the arrangement as federal overreach and said residents should not be treated as enemies.

Both said they would have voted to sever the agreement even if doing so exposed them to possible action by the governor.

What has been Tallahassee’s biggest economic-development success of the past four years?

Derzypolski: Said he could not identify one and characterized local economic development as “anemic.”

Perez: Also said substantial work remains. He called for greater support of small businesses and better commercialization of research and innovation from FSU, FAMU and TSC.

How do residents perceive Tallahassee’s economy?

Perez: Said voters he encounters are primarily concerned about affordability—rent, utilities and household expenses—not City Hall’s political divisions. He linked affordability to his opposition to urban sprawl.

Derzypolski: Said residents are experiencing genuine financial pressure and sometimes must choose among food, gasoline and prescriptions. He proposed reducing city-controlled utility rates and fees where possible.

Key Difference: Both described an affordability problem, but Perez connected it more directly to development patterns and urban sprawl, while Derzypolski emphasized reducing government-controlled household costs and growing the economy.

How would you create higher-income jobs?

Derzypolski: Would leverage FSU, FAMU, TSC, Lively, the academic medical center and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory to attract private investment. He said government needs to operate at the “speed of business.”

Perez: Would use university research and student talent to develop commercially useful solutions to community problems, including water-quality challenges.

Key Difference: Derzypolski emphasized business recruitment and connecting private industry with Tallahassee’s existing institutions. Perez emphasized commercializing locally generated research and innovation.

What is Tallahassee’s most important environmental issue?

Perez: Water quality. He connected threats to water resources with urban sprawl and inadequate infrastructure.

Derzypolski: Water quality. He warned about the influence of large national developers and advocated cooperation among environmental groups, neighborhoods and local builders.

Give examples of responsible and irresponsible growth.

Derzypolski: Pointed to urban infill and affordable housing in existing neighborhoods as responsible growth. He criticized development pushing farther away from the urban core because of infrastructure costs.

Perez: Cited the Tallahassee Lenders’ Consortium’s Community Land Trust as a positive model. He criticized the proposed Lake Jackson-area annexation and Welaunee-area expansion as examples of sprawl that shift infrastructure costs to taxpayers.

Key Difference: Both favor infill, but Perez was more explicit in opposing specific Northeast development and annexation projects. Derzypolski focused more broadly on the financial and infrastructure advantages of developing inside the existing urban area.

Who is responsible for the City Commission’s 3-2 divide and “toxic” culture?

Perez: Downplayed the significance of what he called “palace intrigue,” saying most residents are more concerned about affordability and responsive government. He said disagreement among commissioners can be part of a healthy governing body.

Derzypolski: Said dysfunction matters because it prevents progress on affordability, crime, environmental issues and growth. He said he would work to restore civility and collegiality.

Key Difference: This was a fundamental difference. Derzypolski views City Hall’s political dysfunction as a major problem requiring a change in leadership style. Perez argues the 3-2 narrative receives too much attention compared with residents’ economic and policy concerns.

Is Democratic Party involvement in the nonpartisan Seat 3 race appropriate?

The candidates were asked specifically about the Leon County Democratic Party, chaired by Ryan Ray, who also works as Commissioner Jeremy Matlow’s aide, supporting Perez.

Derzypolski: Said voters want to move beyond partisan labels. He declined to make the ethical determination concerning Ray and Matlow himself.

Perez: Said party affiliation inevitably provides information to voters even in nonpartisan elections. He highlighted Derzypolski’s roughly two decades as a registered Republican.

Key Difference: Perez considers partisan history relevant information in a nominally nonpartisan election. Derzypolski argues the contest should be judged primarily on candidates, leadership and independence rather than party affiliation.

Is Republican criticism tying Perez to out-of-town socialists fair?

Perez: No. He dismissed such attacks as political “boogeymen” and “McCarthyism.”

Derzypolski: No. He rejected the attacks, said they did not help his campaign and called on people to stop them.

What does Derzypolski say about his former Republican registration?

Derzypolski: Said his voting history demonstrates independence, pointing to support for Democrats including Bill Montford, Allison Tant and Loranne Ausley. He said becoming NPA better reflected his political outlook.

Perez: Said voters should consider Derzypolski’s approximately 20 years as a Republican, including during Donald Trump’s presidencies. Perez said he consistently voted Democratic despite previously registering NPA.

Key Difference: Derzypolski portrays his former Republican registration as less important than his history of crossing party lines. Perez portrays the duration of Derzypolski’s Republican affiliation as relevant information about his political background.

What progressive position does Derzypolski hold?

Derzypolski: Said access to health care should be a basic right and also identified environmental protection.

Would Perez create a new progressive 3-2 voting bloc?

Perez: Said voters should judge his published policies rather than political labels and vote based on whether those policies reflect their values.

Derzypolski: Said party-based concerns are overrated in a nonpartisan election and emphasized his independence.

Key Difference: Perez defended the policies associated with his candidacy without distancing himself from the progressive coalition supporting him. Derzypolski made independence from political groups and voting blocs a central argument for his candidacy.

Name an issue where Perez disagrees with Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.

Perez: Said he had not studied Matlow’s complete eight-year voting record closely enough to identify a specific vote. He suggested affordable housing could be an area of difference, citing his support for a Montgomery County-style approach.

Key Difference: The exchange underscored one of Derzypolski’s broader campaign arguments: Perez did not identify a specific Matlow vote he opposed, while Derzypolski repeatedly presented himself as independent of the existing City Commission factions.

What about Derzypolski’s support from developers, builders and Chamber interests?

Derzypolski: Said his donor support reflects relationships and trust developed through 25 years of community service. He also pointed to support from retirees, veterans, teachers and environmentalists.

Perez: Said criticism is warranted to the extent those interests have influenced decisions that frustrate voters. He contrasted his individual donor base with contributions associated with business and development interests.

Key Difference: Derzypolski portrays business and development support as evidence of broad community trust. Perez portrays support from those interests as potentially tying a candidate to the same forces he believes have shaped City Hall decisions.

Does Perez bear responsibility for the fake Facebook operation targeting Talethia Edwards?

Perez: Said consultant Kris Estanga acted independently. Perez said he would not have made that decision but believes people make mistakes and deserve second chances.

Derzypolski: Said the incident may be history in terms of the news cycle but remains relevant from a leadership perspective. He questioned how such activity could occur within a campaign’s orbit without the candidate knowing.

Key Difference: Perez treats the incident as the independent mistake of a consultant and largely a closed matter. Derzypolski treats it as an ongoing question about leadership, campaign culture and accountability.

How would you reduce utility costs?

Perez: Proposed removing the fire-services fee from utility bills and replacing it with an assessment-based approach. He also questioned other fees appearing on utility bills.

Derzypolski: Promised to lower utility bills during his first year and cited reconnection and after-hours charges as examples of fees that could be reconsidered.

Key Difference: Perez proposed changing how major city services are financed. Derzypolski focused more heavily on reducing fees and other city-controlled costs charged directly to utility customers.

If you could do one thing to make housing more affordable, what would it be?

Derzypolski: Prioritized expedited permitting for urban infill to increase affordable housing supply in existing neighborhoods.

Perez: Proposed eliminating parking minimums, streamlining permitting, expanding community land trusts, legalizing “missing middle” housing and encouraging smaller starter homes.

Key Difference: Both support infill and additional housing supply, but Perez proposed broader zoning and housing-policy changes, while Derzypolski emphasized permitting reform and private-sector construction within existing neighborhoods.

Does increasing housing supply reduce prices?

Perez: Generally yes, but said the type of housing matters. He argued that building additional luxury student apartments does not necessarily address affordability for working families.

Derzypolski: Agreed that housing type matters and again emphasized urban infill and neighborhood revitalization.

Do you support Amendment 3?

Derzypolski: No. He said it would shift power from local governments to the state and could create severe fiscal problems for cities and counties.

Perez: No. He likewise characterized it as an attack on home rule that could particularly hurt rural communities and reduce local government’s ability to provide services.

What would you do if Amendment 3 creates an $18 million annual city revenue loss?

Perez: Said he would target executive “bloat,” development subsidies, travel, licensing expenses and other spending while reviewing the budget line by line.

Derzypolski: Also advocated a line-by-line budget review. He argued that city revenues have expanded substantially and that government could return spending closer to previous levels while protecting public safety.

Key Difference: Perez identified particular programs and spending categories he would target, including development subsidies. Derzypolski made a broader fiscal argument that city government has expanded and should reduce overall spending toward earlier levels.

Do you support an across-the-board 4% employee raise?

Derzypolski: No. He prefers compensation based on employee performance.

Perez: Said across-the-board increases should incorporate merit-based standards.

Should the commission remove the 30-minute limit on off-agenda public comment?

Perez: Yes.

Derzypolski: Yes.

Who do you support for governor?

Both candidates said they planned to vote for David Jolly.

Who do you support for Tallahassee mayor?

Perez: Said he would vote for Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.

Derzypolski: Said he had not decided and would evaluate the candidates based on who could best serve Tallahassee. He said he was prepared to work with either candidate.

Key Difference: Perez explicitly backed Matlow, reinforcing his political alignment with the existing progressive coalition. Derzypolski declined to choose between the mayoral candidates and again emphasized his political independence.

Do you support city-county consolidation?

Derzypolski: No. He questioned whether consolidation produces sufficient savings to justify the disruption.

Perez: No. He similarly said the savings do not justify the complications involved.

Name a position held by your opponent that you respect.

Perez: Said he appreciates Derzypolski’s emphasis on concerns about urban sprawl.

Derzypolski: Said he agrees with Perez’s emphasis on urban infill and neighborhood revitalization.

What should outside PACs supporting your candidacy do?

Perez: Said supporters do not need to tear down opponents and emphasized that candidates will remain neighbors after the election.

Derzypolski: Said he would publicly stand alongside Perez to reject false attacks against him and said dark-money and outside-money attacks have no place in his leadership.

How would you improve Tallahassee International Airport?

Derzypolski: Focused on costs, particularly parking, arguing that high airport expenses encourage residents and businesses to drive to competing airports.

Perez: Favored attracting more budget airlines and studying successful airport strategies in similarly sized communities.

Key Difference: Derzypolski focused on reducing the cost of using the existing airport, while Perez emphasized increasing airline competition and flight options.

Should StarMetro services be cut during a revenue shortfall?

Perez: Indicated no, describing public transportation as a public good rather than a profit-making enterprise.

Derzypolski: Did not advocate service cuts. Instead, he proposed restoring commercial advertising on buses to generate additional revenue.

Key Difference: Perez emphasized preserving transit because of its role as a public service. Derzypolski emphasized finding new revenue to help sustain the service without relying entirely on city funding.

What was each candidate’s closing argument?

Derzypolski: Presented himself as the independent and experienced candidate. He emphasized 25 years of executive and community leadership, bridge-building and his willingness to work with all commissioners. He said Tallahassee voters are looking for “independent thought and leadership.”

Perez: Presented himself as the change candidate. He argued Tallahassee needs a “clean break with the status quo” and criticized the influence of “monied interests.” He emphasized his grassroots campaign, affordable housing and government responsiveness to neighborhoods.

Key Difference: The closing statements captured the central contrast of the forum: Derzypolski argued that Tallahassee needs independent, experienced leadership capable of repairing a divided City Hall. Perez argued that Tallahassee needs a policy and political break from the existing power structure and development interests.

Provided below is a summary of answers to questions asked during the forum hosted by the media partners in the Capital Region News Collaborative, which includes Tallahassee Reports, and the League of Women Voters.

Are Tallahassee residents better off than four years ago?

Loranne Ausley: No. She said residents are angry and worried about the cost of groceries, gasoline and other necessities and are struggling to see how their circumstances can improve.

Jeremy Matlow: No. He pointed to high gasoline prices, Tallahassee’s roughly 25% poverty rate and the larger number of working residents struggling to make ends meet. He argued many residents do not believe government is looking out for their interests.

What is the clearest difference between you and your opponent?

Matlow: He described his candidacy as a break from the status quo, emphasizing grassroots support, opposition to “backroom deals,” developer influence and development he believes damages the environment.

Ausley: She identified three major differences: support for the Children’s Services Council, support for the TMH-FSU Health transaction despite concerns about the process, and differences in political leadership and culture. She criticized negative social-media tactics and anonymous political activity associated with people in Matlow’s political orbit.

Matlow response: He acknowledged opposing the Children’s Services Council tax while saying he supported creating a council.

What are your top two accomplishments?

Ausley: Securing state funding that helped begin the cleanup leading to Cascades Park and helping create Whole Child Leon, which she connected to the eventual creation of the Children’s Services Council.

Matlow: Adoption of Tallahassee’s clean-energy goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy and bringing greater scrutiny to City Hall spending, decision-making and alleged wrongdoing.

Is your opponent capable of serving as Tallahassee’s chief ambassador?

Matlow: Yes. He said both he and Ausley are capable of representing Tallahassee. He emphasized his lifelong connection to the community and experience building a business here.

Ausley: She said she is prepared for the ambassadorial role but questioned Matlow’s attendance at civic events, citing his absence from the opening of the new senior center.

Matlow response: He said commissioners are sometimes excluded from events, noted that he supported the senior center, and said his responsibilities as a small-business owner also affect his schedule.

TMH-FSU Health transaction

Matlow: Opposed. He criticized the process, questioned whether taxpayers received fair market value and argued there was insufficient accountability regarding what FSU would ultimately deliver.

Ausley: Supported. She criticized how the transaction was handled but argued that an academic medical center would improve health care, create better jobs and benefit Tallahassee.

Key difference: Matlow emphasized process, accountability and valuation; Ausley emphasized the expected long-term health-care and economic benefits.

Sale of the Capital City Country Club property

Ausley: Would have supported the sale. She emphasized preservation of green space and recognition of ceremonial burial grounds and argued that maintaining a golf course preserves open space.

Matlow: Opposed. He argued that valuable public property was sold for substantially less than its value and raised concerns about the investors behind the transaction.

Data-center moratorium/ban

Matlow: Supported restricting large-scale data centers, citing water consumption, electrical demand, environmental concerns, land availability and relatively limited employment benefits.

Ausley: Agreed with Matlow that Tallahassee does not need large data centers, citing land constraints and limited job creation.

Hiring the new city manager and requiring a supermajority for termination

Ausley: Said the incoming commission should have made the city-manager decision and opposed the supermajority termination provision.

Matlow: Also argued that the new commission should have selected the manager. He went further, calling the timing a violation of public trust and arguing that the supermajority provision conflicts with the City Charter.

What is driving gun violence, and what should the city do?

Matlow: Focused on reaching young people early, creating productive activities and employment opportunities, measuring the effectiveness of violence-prevention programs and addressing poverty.

Ausley: Also emphasized youth intervention and community engagement, citing cooperation among law enforcement, pastors and community organizations.

Are current police staffing levels sufficient?

Ausley: Generally yes, although she said the city should examine community policing and potentially different forms of police involvement.

Matlow: Essentially yes, provided staffing is sufficient for police to answer calls and meet the levels identified by the police chief.

Does participation in the 287(g) immigration program make Tallahassee safer?

Matlow: No. He argued it makes the community less safe and cited his observations of an ICE enforcement action.

Ausley: Her answer was less definitive. She said immigration enforcement is necessary but stressed fairness and questioned the appropriate role of local police.

Should the city and county operate separate fire departments?

Ausley: No. She called for the city and county to resolve their funding dispute and preserve a unified fire service.

Matlow: No. He likewise argued that the governments should resolve their differences and maintain a unified system.

Do you support Flock license-plate cameras?

Matlow: No. He characterized the system as mass surveillance and raised concerns about tracking residents and outside access to collected information.

Ausley: Said surveillance technology has advanced faster than government safeguards. She supported the pause or moratorium until adequate protections are established.

Key difference: Matlow expressed more categorical opposition; Ausley emphasized the need for safeguards.

Should school-zone speed cameras remain?

Matlow: No. He said he opposed the program from the beginning and favors traditional enforcement and street-design changes around schools.

Ausley: Initially said she was uncertain about the relationship between speed cameras and license-plate surveillance, but after the discussion said she would vote to end the program.

Campaign Conduct and Political Culture

Is it appropriate for Matlow aide Ryan Ray to simultaneously serve as local Democratic Party chairman?

Matlow: Said he does not attempt to control employees’ political activities and that his expectation is that his aide properly performs his city job.

When specifically asked whether he had asked Ray about posting anonymous comments, Matlow said that was not part of Ray’s city commission role.

Ausley: Used the issue to make a broader argument about anonymous social-media activity, fake accounts and what she described as the political culture surrounding Matlow.

What responsibility does Matlow bear for the fake Facebook controversy involving his former campaign manager?

Matlow: Said the activity was unrelated to his campaign and involved another City Commission race. He argued that investigating candidates’ backgrounds is a legitimate function of independent media.

Ausley: Said Matlow’s response was inadequate. She argued leaders are responsible for setting standards for their teams and tied the episode to broader concerns about anonymous attacks and political culture.

This was one of the forum’s clearest personal/leadership contrasts.

Why should voters trust Ausley despite significant support from developers and business interests?

Ausley: Said she has received contributions from people across the political and economic spectrum throughout her career and that contributions do not purchase her vote or influence.

How did Matlow respond to criticism about progressive or socialist-aligned outside support?

Matlow: Identified himself as a Democrat and said Republican criticism of his Democratic affiliations is expected. He said voters should judge him by his record and Democratic values.

Do you support Amendment 3?

Ausley: No. She warned that the measure could significantly reduce Tallahassee revenue and threaten funding for essential services.

Matlow: No, but for different reasons. He opposed state interference in local budgeting while arguing that Tallahassee itself needs to reduce spending. He said the amendment’s consequences would be manageable but could simply shift costs elsewhere.

What happens if Amendment 3 passes?

Matlow: Said essential services would be protected. He would target development subsidies and other spending before reducing core services.

Ausley: Said the city would need to examine the entire budget for waste, duplication and administrative overhead while protecting police, parks, housing and other essential services.

Key difference: Both call for spending scrutiny, but Matlow identifies developer subsidies and executive spending as specific targets; Ausley emphasizes a broader budget review.

Has city government been overspending?

Ausley: Said that is a legitimate concern and called for examining waste, duplication and administrative overhead.

Matlow: Yes. He cited executive salaries, raises and expensive government vehicles as examples of spending that should be scrutinized.

Utilities and Renewable Energy

How should Tallahassee address high utility bills?

Matlow: Proposed reducing development-related utility subsidies, examining utility taxes and lowering general-fund spending to reduce pressure on electric rates.

Ausley: Said affordability and infrastructure investment both need examination and pledged to make utility costs a mayoral priority, although she offered fewer specific measures.

Do you support Tallahassee’s 2050 clean-energy commitment even if it raises rates?

Ausley: Yes. She said the clean-energy commitment is important and could help Tallahassee recruit residents and businesses.

Matlow: Strongly supports renewable energy but rejected the premise that it necessarily requires higher rates. He argued renewable energy could provide greater price stability and potentially lower bills.

Key difference: Ausley explicitly accepted the clean-energy goal despite the possibility of higher rates; Matlow argued the transition itself can ultimately lower or stabilize costs.

Housing

If you could take one action to improve housing affordability, what would it be?

Matlow: Build 500 municipal housing units during his first four years, using city-owned land, resources and permitting authority.

Ausley: Coordinate existing housing organizations and combine federal, state and local resources through organizations such as the housing authority, community land trust and lenders consortium.

Clear philosophical difference: Matlow proposes direct municipal production of housing; Ausley proposes coordination and leveraging existing housing institutions and funding.

City Commission Dysfunction

Does Matlow bear responsibility for the 3-2 split?

Matlow: He defended his approach, saying voters elected him to challenge City Hall practices. He emphasized that commissioners agree on roughly 87% of votes and said the disputes concern consequential matters such as development, taxes, environmental protection and public assets.

Who is responsible for City Hall dysfunction?

Ausley: “Everybody.” She said political anger and social media have worsened divisions and argued the next mayor should rebuild relationships and search for common ground.

Major contrast: Matlow largely views conflict as a consequence of substantive disagreements that require confrontation; Ausley emphasizes leadership style, relationships and consensus-building.

Most important environmental issue?

Matlow: Climate-driven extreme weather and clear-cutting/development of forested areas.

Ausley: Framed development around three tests: whether it provides needed housing or jobs, whether infrastructure exists to support it, and whether it protects Tallahassee’s water, tree canopy and quality of life.

Example of good and bad development?

Matlow: Praised small-scale urban infill such as community-land-trust housing on Wallace Street. Criticized the Thomasville Road storage development.

Ausley: Also criticized the appearance of the Thomasville Road project but noted that it proceeded under existing regulations, suggesting the city should change those regulations if residents dislike the resulting development.

How should the city improve economic mobility?

Matlow: Reform permitting and make city government a “front door” for entrepreneurs, particularly smaller local businesses. He favors shifting economic development away from primarily recruiting large corporations toward helping residents start businesses and obtain capital.

Ausley: Focus on recruiting employers offering higher-wage jobs across a range of skill levels. She emphasized making City Hall easier for businesses to navigate and having the mayor actively promote Tallahassee.

How is the Office of Economic Vitality performing?

Matlow: Wants OEV to focus more heavily on startups, local businesses and business recruitment while moving away from subsidies he considers questionable.

Ausley: Said OEV is “not doing great,” although she did not blame its employees. She suggested structural reform so the organization operates at the “speed of business” rather than the “speed of government.”

Agreement: Both candidates favor substantial changes to OEV, although their preferred economic-development emphasis differs.

How can Tallahassee make its airport more competitive?

Ausley: Explore partnerships and incentives involving state government, FSU and other institutions, while acknowledging there is no easy solution.

Matlow: Increase demand for travel to Tallahassee through arts, culture, live music, tourism and private-sector economic development.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

Matlow: Prioritize safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure when allocating Blueprint and transportation dollars rather than concentrating resources on new road construction supporting development.

Ausley: Improve connectivity and safety of pedestrian paths, bicycle infrastructure and public transit.

StarMetro

Ausley: Opposed service cuts and argued Tallahassee needs a transit system that is useful not only to transit-dependent residents but attractive to the broader population.

Matlow: Opposed service reductions and called for increasing ridership, citing environmental and financial benefits.

Should Tallahassee and Leon County consolidate?

Ausley: No. She said she would vote against the consolidation straw poll while supporting cooperation and existing consolidated services.

Matlow: No. He characterized the proposal as effectively a county takeover of the city but said city-county cooperation should improve.